Automatic signal for grade crossings



July 7, 1925. 1,544,595

G. S. OTT

AUTOMATIC SIGNAL FOR GRADE CROSSINGS TVN ko: ne

July 7, 1925.

G. S. OTT

GNAL FOR GRADE CROSSINGS AUTOMATIC SI 5 sheets-sheet Filed Jaim 5. 1925 July fz, 1925. 1,544,595

' G. S. OTT v AUTOMATIC SIGNAL 'FOR GHAIIIE GROS'SIvNGS Filed Jan. 5, 1925' 3 Sheets-Sheet :s

l 70A l di d1) 3,0 f f6? Patented July 7, 1925.

GEORGE S. OTT, OF EXELAND, WISCONSIN.

AUTOMATIC SIGNAL FOR GRADE CROSSINGS.

Application led .Tanuary 5., 1925.. VSerial N'o. 577.

To all @0.7mm t may concern.'

Be it known that I, GEORGE S.` OTT, a citizen of the United States, residingv atEXeland, in the county of Sawyer and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in an Automatic Signal for Grade Crossings, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in visual signals for railway grade crossings and has for its primary object to provide means` whereby Va visual signal may be automatically actuated by the approaching of a train traveling in one direction, thus giving a warning to vehicles and pedestrains of the approach of a train'at the grade crossing.

One of the important objects of the present invention is to provide a rotatable visual signal which is supported adjacent the grade crossing, the same being adapted to be automatically actuated by the approach of a train in one direction, the rotatable signal being clearly visible to vehicles or the like which are about to approach the railroad crossing.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automatic railway signal of'the above mentioned character, wherein means is provided for preventing the rotation'of the signal when a train is traveling in a direction opposite to one which operates the signal, the operating means for the signal being again rendered operative when a ti'ain isapproaching the grade crossing in a certain direction.. f

A still further object .of the invention is toprovide an automatic railway signal for grade crossings of the above mentioned character, wherein ymeans is provided for indicating that the signal operating means has been broken, said means being visible to motorvvehicles or the like whichare about to approach the grade crossing. y

A still further object of the invention is to provide an automatic railway signal for grade crossings of the above mentioned character, which is simple in construction, inexpensive, strong`3and durable and furthermoreadapted for the purposes for which it is designated.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanyingy drawings forming appartof this specification and in which like numerals designate like parts throughout the same: v

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device embodying my invention showing the saine in use. I g

Figure 2 is a view partly in side elevation'and partly in section of theV treadle and the locking and releasing means associated therewith.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken approximately on line 3-8 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary detail of the locking and releasing means associated kwith the treadle.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary detail side elevation with parts shown in section of the signal member, and the operating means therefor.

Figure 6 is a similar view showing the position of the signal member `when the operating means therefor has been broken.

Figure 7 is a detail of the signal member, andA y AFigure 8 is a sectional view taken approximately on line 8 8 of Figure 4.

In the drawings wherein forthe purposeV `of illustration is shown the preferred em bodiment of my invention, the numeral 1 'Y designates a vertical supporting standard which is located at a point adjacent the railway grade crossing A and alongside the rail over which the wheels of a train are adapted to pass. A bracket 2 is secured on the upper portion of the standard 1 asy at 3. The bracket comprises a pair of spaced Aplates 4f and 5 respectively. A pair of ears such as shown at 6 are formed on the lower free ends ofthe side plates and the purpose thereof vwill hereinafter be more fully described.

Secured on one side of the bracket 2, and extending outwardly therefrom is a substantially circular casing designated by the numeral 7. The saine includes a pair of spaced discs. The circular casing 7 'is provided with a segmental cut out portion 8 and the disc of the casing adjacent the bracket k2 is provided with an arcuate slot 9, the purpose of which will also hereinafter be. more fully described. The arcuate slot extends from the Vcenter of the casing to the outer periphery of the casing as is clearly ings.

An auxiliary bracket l() is pivotally supported at its lower end between the ears G of the bracket 2 on the transversely extending pivot pin 11. The auxiliary bracket is provided with a lateral extension 12 at its upper edge, said extension being slit and adapted to rotatably support at 'its outer ends the shaft 13. A signaling member in the form of a fan is mounted "on the outer end of the shaft 13 and is indicated generally by the numeral 14. The fan includes a plurality of vradially extending 7Vblades 15 and on each of which is printed oi" otherwise applied the word Stop. The signaling member 14 is of such size 'as to be disposed within the casing 7 provided there` lfor and the arcuate slot9 provides 'a means for vreceiving the shaft 13. il ratchet wheel 16 is secured on the shaft 1B `and is disposed between a pair of discs 17 and 18 respective ly, the latter being disposed within the slit portion of the lateral extension 12 of lthe auxiliary bracket 10.

An 'arm 19 extends upwardly from the top of the auxiliary bracket 10 and is adapted to be disposed betweenthe hous in'g 20 'which is arranged on t ie top of the bracket 2 and `extends outwardly there from over the top of the auxiliary bracket 10 and -the extension 12 formed thereon7 and the adjacent face or disc of the circular casing 7. Pivotally supported on the upper end of the arm 19 as at 21 is the plate 22, the latter having printed on each of the faces thereof the word Out of order. A sheath 23 is arranged on the top of the bracket 2 between the housing 2O and the casing 7 for normally rendering the sign plate 22 invisible as clearly illustrated in Figures 1 and 5 of the drawings.

An elongated lever 2st is disposed longitudinally within the housing` and the outer end thereof is irovided with a ypawl 25 which is adapted for cooperation with the ratchet teeth of the 'ratchet wheel 16. The inner end of the Alever is hingedly connected to the upper end of the link 26 which extends vertically through -a suitable opening provided in the'to'p of the bracket '2 in the manner 'clearly illustrated in Figure A coil spring 27 `is secured `at one Vend 'to the lower end of the link 26. The opposite 'end 'of the coil spring is connected `to a member 28 which is carried by the auxiliary lbracket 10 and extends through a suitable opening provided .in the outer end of the bracket 2 whereby the auxiliary bracket is supported in the position as shown in Figure 5 of the drawings. f f

yLocated at a suitable distance from the v'highway or grade crossing A and supported adjacent one of the rails B on the inside thereof are a pair of angular' plates 29 and 30 respectively, the horizontal 'pord tion of the angular plate 30 being disposed on top of the outer portion of the horizontally extending portion ofthe angular plate V29 as is more clearly illustrated in Figure 3. Avtreadle designated generally by the numeral 31 is supported between the vertical spaced portions of the angular plate and is adapted for vertical slidable movement therebetween through the men diumv of the laterally extending pins carried by the treadle 3l and the vertical slots 33 provided therefor in the vertical portions of Ithe angular plates. Y The treadle 31 -and the upper edges of the angular plates are disposed slightly below the sur`ace fof the rail B so that the flange of the 'wheel oit the train will engage the tread'le and operate the signal in a manner to be more fully described. rlhe respective ends ofthe treadle as well as the ends of the vertical portions of the angular plates are beveled as clearly illustrated in the drawings.

Pivotally supported on the transversely extending 'pin 8d in the intermediate portion of the treadle 31 is the upper leg ineinber 35. rlhe lower end thereof is pivotally connected as at to the upper end of the leg member 3T. The pivot or hinge 36 is preferably of the type used in conjunction with eonnecting the sections of a rule or any other suitable hinge connection may be provided'as is desired. The leg member 37 extends downwardly through the horizontal portion of the angular plate 29 into a suitable casing 38 supported by the bottom of the horizontal portion of the angular plate 29 as clearly illustrated .in Figure A curved lever 39 is pivotally supported intermediate its ends `as at l() within the casing 38, one end ofthe curved lever 39 being provided with a .socket 41 for Vreceiving the ball shaped head 4t2 formed on the lower end of the leg member '37 whereby the latter is operatively connected to the lever B9. The opposite end of the link 26 through the medium of the cable 43, the cable extends over a suitable guide pulley provided therefor on the upper portion of a vertical standard 44 which Ais arranged adjacent the 'treadle 31 on the outside of the rail B.

A pair of vertically arranged plates 45 and 4G respectively are arranged in spaced relation within the forward portion of the treadle 31. Cooperating with the plate 45 is the slidable locking plate 4f?. The locking plate and the stationaryplate 45 are provided vwith vertical slots as is clearly illustrated in Figure 4i and the purpose of this construction will be Vpresently appar-I ent.

A trip member 48 is pivotally supported intermediate its ends as at 49 in the forward end of the treadle 31 and the upper portion thereoll extends upwardly through a suitable llU lli

opening formed in the beveled forward end of the treadle. Connected to the lower end of the tripmember 48 isthe A.forward end of an elongated rod 51. yThe same eX- tends rearwardly within the treadle 31 through the plates 45, 47. and 46. The rear portion of the rod is threaded and a pair of nuts 52 and 53 are associated therewith on opposite sides of the plate 46, the coil springs 53, 54, and encircling the threaded end of the rod 51and being disposed between the nut 52 and the plate 46, and the nut 53 and the plate 46 respectively. The purpose of the nuts is to regulate the tension of the coil springs. A shoulder 56 is formed on the forward portion of the'rod 51 and is disposed adjacent the plates 45 and 47. A plate like member 57' is pivotally supported at its upper end on the pivot 49 and is disposed forwardly of thek lower portion of the trip member 48 so as to be actuated thereby in the manner to be hereinafter more fully described. An elongated rod 58 is connected Vat' its forward end to thelower end of the plate like member 57, the rod 58 extending through suitable cut out portions provided therefor in the bottom of the stationaryv plates 45 and 46 and being secured at its rear end to the .yoke member 59, the latter in turn being secured tothe pivot pin 36. A coil spring such as is shown at 60 encircles the rearportion of the velongated rod 58 .and is disposed lbetween the plate 46 nand Athe yoke member 59. yA shoulder 61 is formed on the forward portionv ofthe elongated rod 58 and cooperates withthe slidable locking plate 47. in a mannerl to Vbe presently described. A

Normally, the parts arel arranged as shown in Figure 1 of the drawing. As a train approaches theV grade crossing A traveling in the direction of the arrow, the treadle 31 will be depressed by the Yaction of the flanges of the wheels traveling over the treadle whereuponrthe curved lever 39 will be actuated to exert a pull on the cable 43 and 'as a result actuate the lever 24 and the pawlv 25 associated therewith, the latter in turn engaging the ratchet-teeth of the ratchet wheel 16 causingthe rotation of the shaft and the signal member 14 whereby the blade15-will rotate and successively displayeac-h lblade within the segmental cut out portion 8 of the casing 7, thus giving an indication to motor vehicles approaching the grade crossing that a train is about to cross the high'- way. The continual rotation of the signal memberk 14 will attract the attention of the drivers of motor vehicles or the like who aretraveling along the highwayy and are about to reach the grade crossing and the rotation of the signal member will give the proper warning to the drivers of the u vehicles.

To prevent the rotation of the signal 'member 14 vwhen a train is traveling in the reverse direction, the trip member 48 will be actuated by the flanges of the wheels of the train which have passed over the grade crossing. The upper portion of the trip member 48 will be moved rearwardly causing` rthe lower portion of the trip member to engage the plate like member 57 moving the same forwardly so that a forward pull on the elongated rod 58 is exerted, moving the leg members 35 and`37 out of vertical alignment and holding the same in such position through the medium of the shoulders 61 engaging the bottom portion of the slidable plate 47. Thus when the tiaimpasses over the treadle 31, the latter will not operate the curved lever 39 due to the fact .that the leg members 35 and 37 are out of vertical alignment.

The operating means is again rendered operative by a train lapproaching the grade `crossing in the direction kof the arrow, it being understood that when the lianges of the wheels of the train engage the trip 48,

the upper portion thereof will be moved forwardly, causing a rearward movement of the elongated. rod 51 and whereupon the beveled portion 56 will. engage the upper portion of the slot formed in the sliding plate 47 moving the latter upwardly out of engagement with the shoulder 61 facilitating the return of the leg members 35 ,and 37 to ltheir vertically aligning positions through the medium of the coil spring 60 whereupon the treadle may be depressed to operate the curved lever 39 and in turn actuating the pawl and ratchet ,mechanism through the cable 43 whereby the signal member 14 will'again be caused to rotate. Should the cable 43' accidentally break, the weight of the auxiliary bracket 10 will cause the same to swing downwardly on its pivot11y whereupon the shaft 13 which carries thelsignal vmember14 will move'outwardly from .the 'A casing 7 throughwthe mediumof theI arcuate slotv 9.V and further causing theplate 22 which is pivotally carried by the yupper end iof the arm 19 to be moved out of its sheath 23. and yalso swing outwardly tol maintain the position shown inFigure 6, a lshoulder, suchasis shownat 62 being formed. on Athe pivoted end of the plate 22 being adaptedfor engagement with the arm 19 for limiting the downward swinging movement of the'plate 22 whereby the latter will be disposed in a substantially horizontal position so that the indicia thereon may be readily visible.` vThe position of the signal member 14 and the plate 22 when. the cable 43 is broken is more clearly illustrated in Figure 6 of the drawings. Y.

It will thus be seen from the foregoing description, that a signaling device for rail,-

`way grade crossings has been provided 'which is `entirely automatic in its operation and Will at -a'll times :be positive and efficient in its operation.

Furthermore, the simplicity of my device enables the several parts comprising the same to 'be readily assembled or disassemble'd Without the loss of any Vconsiderable length of time or labor.

While I have shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that various changes in the size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to ivi-thout departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of 'the appended claims.

Having 'thus described the invention, what I claim iszl. An automatic railway signal for grade crossings comprising in combination, a rotatable signal member supported adjacent the grade crossing, a treadle adapted to be depressed by a train approaching the grade crossing when traveling in one direction, means for rotating the signal When the treadle is depressed, an'd an auxiliary visual signal member' adapted to be displayed When the 'operating means for actuating the rotatable 'signal is broken.

2. An automatic railway signal for grade crossings comprising in combination, a rotatabie visual signal member supported adjacent the grade crossing, a treadle adapted to be depressed by a train approaching the grade crossing When traveling in one direction, a pawl and ratchet mechanism for rotatingthe signal member, a cableass'ociated `with the pawl and ratchet mechanism and 'thetreadle whereby the former is actuated by the latter, and an auxiliary visual signal adapted to be displayed automatically When tihe cable is broken.

3. An automatic railway signal for grade crossings comprising in combination, a rotatable visual signal member supported adjacentfthe grade crossing, a treadle adapted to be depressed by a train approaching the grade crossing when traveling 'in one direction, means for rotating the lsignal member When the treadle is depressed, a trip mechanism associated Withthe treadle for preventing the rotation of the signal member Vvvhen a train passes over the treadle when traveling in the opposite direction.

4. An automatic railway signal for grade crossings comprising in combination, a rotatable visual signal member supported adjacent the grade crossing, a treadle 'adapted to be `depressed by a t-rain approaching` the grade crossing When traveling in one direction, means for rotating the signal member when the treadle is depressed, a trip mechanism associated with the treadle for preventing vthe rotation of the signal member Whenva train passes over thentreadle when 'traveling 'in the 'opposite direction,- and 5. An 'antoniatic railwaysignal' for grade 'Y crossings comprising in combination, a rotatable signal member supported adjacent the grade crossing, a treadle adapted to be depressed by a` train approaching the grade crossing When traveling in one direction, means for rotating ythe signal When the treadle is depressed, 'an auxiliary visual signal member operatively 'associated With the rotatable signal and, normally disposed in'an inoperative position, said auxiliary visual signal member adapted to be displayed and moved to `an operative position when the operating means for actuating the rotatable signal is b-roken.

6. A device of the class described comprising -a supporting standard, a bracket secured on KVthe upper portion thereof, an auxiliary bracket pivotally `support-ed on said aforementioned bracket, a rotatable ysignal member carried by the auxiliary bracket, and means for actuating said signal.

7. A device of the class described com-V prising a supporting standard, a bracket secured on the upper portion thereof, an,

auxiliary bracket pivota-lly Ysupported on ,said aforementioned bracket, a rotatable signal member carried by the auxiliary bracket, means 'for actuating said signal, an additional means associated 'ivith the aforementioned means for normally holding 'the auxiliary bracket and the rotatable signal mem'- ber in an operative position. 8. A device of the class 'described comprising a supporting stan-dard, 2a bracket secured on the vupper portion thereof, 'an auxiliary bracket Vpivotally supported on said aforementioned bracket, a rotatable 'signa-'l member carried by the anxiliary'bracket, means for actuating said signal, an auxiliary sig- 'nal member 'pivotally associated With the auxiliary bracket disposed in an inoperative position. said auxiliary Vvisual signal member adapted to be automatically moved to an voperative 4position When the operating means for 'the rotatable signal member becomes broken. Y

9. A vrdevice. of the class describedcomprising 'ar supporting standard, Va main bracket supported von the upper portion thereof, an auxiliary bracket pivotally supported at its lower end on said main bracket, a rotatable visual signal member carried by lthe auxiliary bracket, paWl and ratchet mechanisms associated With the signal member for rotat- 'ing the same, means for actuating their mechanisms, and means associated with the 'last mentioned means for holding the auxiliary bracket in an upright position. f

O. A device of the class described co'mprising a supporting standard, a main bracket supported on the upper portion thereof, an auxiliary bracket pivotally supported at its lower end on said main bracket, a rotatable visual signal member carried by the auxiliary bracket," pawl and ratchet mechanisms associated with the signal meinber for rotating the same, means for actuating their mechanisms, and means associated with the last mentioned means for holding the auxiliary bracket in upright position, and an auxiliary visual signal member pivotally associated with the upper end of the auxiliary bracket, and normally disposed in an inoperative position, said auxiliary visual signal member adapted to be moved to an operative position automatically when the pawl and ratchet means becomes broken.

11. An automatic railway signal for grade crossings comprising in combination, a rotatable visual sign-al member supported adjacent the grade crossing, a treadle adapted to be depressed by a train approaching the grade crossing when traveling in one direction, means for rotating the signal member when the treadle is'depressed, a trip mechanism associated with the treadle forpreventing the rotation of the signal member when a train passes over the treadle when traveling in the opposite direction, and resilient means for automatically releasing the trip mechanism to facilitate the actuation of the signal member by a train passing over the treadle when traveling in the first mentioned direction.

12. An automatic railway signal for grade crossings comprising in combination, a rotatable visual signal member supported adjacent the grade crossing, a treadle adapted to be depressed by a train approaching the grade crossing when traveling in one direction, means for rotating the signal member when the treadle is depressed, said means comprising a curved lever, an operating cable associatedv with the rotatable signal and one end of the curved lever, a pair of leg members, the inner adjacent ends thereof being pivotally connected together, the upper end of one of said leg members being connected to the treadle, the lower end of the other leg member being loperatively associated with the other end of the curved lever, means for holding said leg members in alignment with each other to permit the actuation of the curved llever and the operating means for the rotatable signal when the treadle` is depressed by a train approaching the grade crossing when traveling in one direction. f

13. An' automatic railway signal Jfor grade crossings comprising in combination, a rotatable visualsignal member supported adjacent the grade crossing, a treadle adapted to be depressed by a train approaching the grade crossing when traveling in one direction, means for rotating the signal member when the treadle is depressed, said means comprising a curved lever, an operating cable associated with the rotatable signal and one end of the curved lever, a pair of leg members, the inner adjacent ends thereof v being pivotally connected together, the up- -per end of one of said leg members being ciated with the pivotally connected leg members for preventing the actuation of the curved lever when a train passes over the treadle when traveling in the opposite direction.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature. GEORGE S. OTT. 

